Quick answer
The IP API - The IP API wins for most builders because its free tier is actually usable for commercial projects and scales into clear paid plans, while IP-API.com is mainly a non-commercial sandbox with a tight per-minute cap.
How the free tiers compare
These are both IP geolocation APIs, but they serve very different free-tier buyers. IP-API.com is the simpler no-key option, with request limits enforced per minute and explicit non-commercial-only terms. That makes it handy for small internal tests, demos, or hobby scripts, but it is not a viable default for production work that might later need commercial rights. The IP API is more builder-friendly: its free tier is perpetual, no card is required, it allows commercial use, and it gives you the same core geolocation data plus ASN and company information. It is limited by requests per day rather than per minute, which is easier to plan around for many apps. When you outgrow free, The IP API has clear flat-priced tiers; IP-API.com only says Pro is a contact-sales subscription with unlimited queries.
IP-API.com vs The IP API free tier, side by side
| IP-API.comFTV 49 | The IP APIFTV 58 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requestsA is rate-limited per IP and can be temporarily blocked if exceeded; B is a daily quota. | 45 requests per minute per IP | 1,000 requests per day |
| Commercial use on free tierThis is the biggest practical difference for builders. | No | Yes |
| API key / registrationOnly claim what is explicit in the input. | No API key or registration | Not stated |
| Included data on free tierB’s free tier includes more explicit core fields. | Location and network metadata | Geolocation data, ASN and company information |
| Data updates | Not stated | Daily data updates |
| Support on free tier | Not stated | No email support |
| Credit card required on free tierftv_no_cc_required is true for both. | No | No |
After you outgrow the free tier
IP-API.com has one paid option, Pro, but pricing is not published here, so it is a contact-sales subscription with unlimited queries and commercial use. The IP API uses simple flat tiers with published monthly prices: Beginner at $19 for 600,000 requests/month, Standard at $49 for 3,000,000, and Premium at $99 for 15,000,000. For most small-team builders, The IP API is easier to budget for and usually the cheaper path into production because you can start at $19/month. IP-API.com may be cheaper or more expensive, but the input does not provide enough pricing to compare directly.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | IP-API.com | The IP API |
|---|---|---|
| 600,000 requests/monthB’s Beginner tier matches this quota exactly. | contact sales / varies by usage | $19/mo |
| 3,000,000 requests/monthB’s Standard tier matches this quota exactly. | contact sales / varies by usage | $49/mo |
| 15,000,000 requests/monthB’s Premium tier matches this quota exactly. | contact sales / varies by usage | $99/mo |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick IP-API.com when…
- You only need a quick, no-key IP lookup for a personal script or internal prototype.
- Your use is explicitly non-commercial and low volume, under 45 requests per minute per IP.
- You want a very simple endpoint for testing response formats like JSON, XML, CSV, or PHP.
- You are okay with temporary blocks if you accidentally exceed the rate limit.
Pick The IP API when…
- You are building a commercial app and want to stay on the free tier as long as possible.
- You need a predictable daily quota instead of a per-minute throttle.
- You want ASN and company data included in the free plan.
- You expect to move into a clear self-serve paid plan later, not ask for sales.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, The IP API is the better pick because its free tier can be used commercially, has a larger and easier-to-plan quota, and leads to clear self-serve pricing when you scale. IP-API.com is still useful if you only need a no-key, non-commercial lookup endpoint for tests or lightweight scripts, but its terms and per-minute cap make it a narrower fit. If you expect a real product to depend on this API, The IP API is the safer default.
Read the full listings: IP-API.com and The IP API. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.